What are the new rides at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2023? We cover all the newest attractions that have recently opened at Universal Studios Hollywood along with all the rumors about upcoming projects plus the newest announcement from Universal Studios Hollywood. Keep reading for our full coverage of new rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Universal Studios Hollywood Discount Tickets
Universal Studios Hollywood is the perfect complement to your Disneyland visit as it brings to life the film making aspect of Southern California–which has been dubbed the movie making capital of the world!
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Guests are given the opportunity to enter the worlds of their favorite films as they experience themed attractions, spectacular live entertainment, and tours showcasing actual movie sets. A stop at Universal Studios Hollywood can make a great addition to your Disneyland or Southern California vacation.
Fast and Furious Rollercoaster Confirmed
The rumors are true! Universal Studios Hollywood will be adding a brand new roller coaster themed to the Fast & Furious saga. This new rollercoaster will “bring innovative and technological achievements never previously employed” to this new thrill ride. The Fast & Furious rollercoaster will be equipped with a state-of-the-art ride system to immersive guests into the dynamic universe of these films. Construction has just been announced and so far no official opening date has been released.
Since “Fast and Furious” continues to be a tremendous box-office success for Universal, adding more attractions featuring this intellectual property should not be surprising. This will be a great addition to Universal Studios Hollywood, as unlike its counterpart Universal Orlando, there are not many thrill rides at this location.
Attractions Closing at Universal Studios Hollywood
In November 2022, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that Universal’s “Animal Actors,” “Special Effects” shows, and the Production Central Store would close in early Jan. 2023. All Universal Hollywood Studios stated officially about this is that these areas were closed to make way for “a future attraction.”
With the closure of the “Animal Actors” and the “Special Effects” shows, speculation grew that a new coaster attraction would be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood. Now we know this is confirmed with the new Fast & Furious rollercoaster announcement.
NEW Fast & Furious Rollercoaster Speculation
We expect the entrance to this coaster to be at the upper lot of the theme park near the area where the two shows were closed. The coaster track will take guests on a fast and possibly furious ride toward the lower lot. Then, the roller coaster will launch guests back up towards the upper lot. We expect the rumored coaster to cause riders to feel like they are “drifting” to fully embrace the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
The ride vehicles will most likely resemble street racing cars with a special lighting package. Also, a similar technology style technology to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind may be utilized to empower riders to feel like they are drifting or spinning.
Rumored Name and Opening Date
The rumored name for this coaster is Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift and the rumored opening date is summer 2024. We have seen some demolition start with those previously mentioned closed attractions so this does not appear unreasonable. Again, these are just rumors and not officially confirmed by Universal.
Fast and Furious on Universal Studios Hollywood Tram Tour
Logic dictates that, with the addition of a “Fast and Furious” coaster, the “Fast and Furious” portion of the Tram Tour will be discontinued. With that portion of the Tram Tour lasting a decade or so, it might be time for something else in that section of the tour. If this change happens, the Tram Tour will have a new finishing section. Once again, plans can and do change with Universal theme parks.
Biggest New Attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood
One of the biggest and most exciting things to come to any theme park in the world made it to Universal Studios Florida earlier this year. This much-talked-about, very popular intellectual property existed in other places but not in Hollywood yet. Fans waited for so long for its arrival. Then, the day finally came. The media went on tours of this new attraction and experienced it in all its glory. After that, this new attraction soft-opened before its official opening date,
Yes, the day finally arrived. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen opened at Universal CityWalk Hollywood. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen opened on Jan. 27, 2023. This Universal CityWalk Orlando CityWalk favorite made it to California. The menu offers all-day brunch and many savory lunch and dinner entrees. Of course, the show’s star would be the creative milkshakes and decadent desserts here.
Penelope and Jacques at Toothsome Chocolate Factory and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk Orlando
Is That Not the Biggest New Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood You Were Expecting?
Though many people were excited about the arrival of Toothsome Chocolate Factory and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal Studios Hollywood, that does not qualify as the biggest news about rides or attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood. Something much bigger opened at Universal Studios Hollywood!
New Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood: Super Nintendo World’s Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Of course, the opening of the Super Nintendo World area of Universal Studios Hollywood counts as some of the biggest news in the theme park universe this year. The arrival of this theme park area created the first Super Nintendo World area in the United States. Another one will come to Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando in 2025.
This innovative and immersive themed land officially opened at Universal Studios Hollywood on Friday, February 17, 2023. Super Nintendo World made many excited guests say, “Let’s-a go!”
This all-new, dynamic land features vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity. The lower lot area of Universal Studios Hollywood contains this expansion to the theme park. Guests will need to take the massive escalators down to the lower level for this experience.
Super Nintendo World contains the trailblazing “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride. Also, Super Nintendo World offers visitors many thrilling and interactive activities designed to engage the entire family within the Mushroom Kingdom. Along with themed dining at the Toadstool Cafe and shopping at the 1-UP Factory retail store, Super Nintendo World presents another advancement in theme park entertainment.
Guests enter Super Nintendo World through an iconic green pipe. This new theme park area offers guests fun and a chance to live in a video game.
Super Nintendo World sweeps guests into the world of Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach, where they will become an integral part of their exhilarating universe. Plus, by purchasing a Power-Up Band, a wearable, interactive wristband, guests can deepen their interactions across the land.
What Things Can You Expect at Super Nintendo World?
The signature ride at Super Nintendo World is “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,” This ride, inspired by the popular Mario Kart video game series, combines augmented reality (AR) with projection mapping technology and physical sets. Guests encounter all these elements along the way during this attraction.
Set against a multi-sensory backdrop of color, sound, and movement, guests will be seated in four-seat vehicles as they navigate familiar courses from the Mario Kart video game. The AR goggles provided bring riders further into the Mario Kart environment. This feature causes the attraction to stand out as a unique experience from other theme park attractions.
The innovation of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” transports guests within a simple concept of racing in a real-life Mario Kart race. Still, experienced riders express that though the idea is simple, it takes time to master. This leads to a high re-rideability factor. However, all ages will enjoy this ride at Universal Studios Hollywood.
As a part of Team Mario, guests will steer through underwater courses and courses in the clouds to compete for the “Golden Cup” while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser.
Bowser’s Castle
The structure of Bowser’s Castle within this limited space again shows what Universal's creative team can do to build immersive lands. The creative team at Universal has impressed us before with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter areas.
Adorned with a breathtaking large sculpture of Bowser, this structure serves as a key centerpiece of the land. Of course, being the home of “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” helps make this more impressive. As guests navigate the winding corridors and pass through the hall of medallions and trophies of the castle towards the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, they will learn more about Bowser’s plans and obsessions.
Power-Up Bands
Power-Up Bands work as wristbands that sync with Universal Studios Hollywood’s free downloadable app to level up the guest experience within this Super Nintendo Land. We know these will also work in Japan for the Japanese version of Super Nintendo World. Also, when Universal’s Epic Universe opens in 2025 in Orlando, the bands will work there, according to Universal Destinations and Experiences.
Super Nintendo World offers many interactive elements. You can even check your scores as you earn points in the land to compare to others. Some of the interactive features include individual and team scores, collecting digital coins, and obtaining keys after winning challenges throughout the land.
Power-Up Bands come in six design options currently. They cost $40, which is less than a wand in the Wizarding World. Guests report enjoying the bands as much, if not more, than the interactive wands.
Interactive Gameplay
What would Super Nintendo World be without the ability to play games? Universal Studios Hollywood and Nintendo state that guests will fully engage as gamers within the land. Guests can beat the four Key Challenges and collect keys from Goomba, Koopa Troopa, Piranha Plant, and Thwomp interactive activities to ultimately allow access to the culminating boss battle with Bowser Jr. These energetic and fun interactive games will further enhance the kinetic experience within Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Toadstool Café
Super Nintendo World’s primary restaurant, Toadstool Café, serves a variety of cuisine designed by Chef Toad. Guests encounter Chef Toad (sort of) when they enter the café. With all the animated screens, guests will find plenty to entertain themselves while dining at Toadstool Café. Menu items include Toadstool Cheesy Garlic Knots, Super Mushroom Soup, Piranha Plant Caprese, Mario Bacon Cheeseburger, Luigi Pesto Chicken Burger, and a Princess Peach Cupcake.
1-UP Factory
Of course, this theme park has a merchandise location for guests to buy Nintendo products. The 1-UP Factory offers an extensive selection of merchandise from Mario and Luigi-themed apparel, iconic character hats, and an array of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Bowser. Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood will have it if you desire some Mario video game-themed merchandise.
The addition of Super Nintendo World to Universal Studios Hollywood immediately made the theme park more of a travel destination. However, many more magical surprises will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Return of “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” Show
For example, after a long absence, the “Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle” nighttime show returns to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood. This happens on select evenings until mid-August from dusk until close, weather permitting. The dates from this returning show announced officially remaining this year are nightly until August 13. We anticipate this nighttime light show to happen again at Universal Studios Hollywood next year and in future years. Logic dictates that the holiday version of this show will begin in November, but no official announcement has been made.
On these select evenings, as night falls, darkness cloaks Hogsmeade Village and the façade of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That area will be overtaken by Dementors, Death Eaters, Inferi, and even the image of Lord Voldemort himself. This projection and special effects show features the incredible music from the “Harry Potter” movies by composer John Williams.
This show makes a great additional attraction for guests. Universal theme parks offer many things equal to the level of Disney theme parks. However, nighttime shows are less well done than at Disney parks. For example, both Universal theme parks in Orlando currently do not have end-of-the-evening nighttime shows.
Though technically not a ride or totally new, this show deserves to be mentioned based on the quality of the show. In the evenings, when this nighttime light show happens, expect crowds in the Wizarding World area of Harry Potter. Please plan accordingly.
Universal Destinations and Experiences’ Pattern of Silence
The leaders of Universal Destinations and Experiences run the promotion of their theme parks differently since Comcast/NBCUniversal became owners in 2011. The pattern since the ownership change has been mostly silent in terms of announcing new rides at Universal Studios Hollywood or any of the other Universal theme parks.
The company waits as long as possible before announcing new rides and attractions. In fact, in most cases, many people know before the official announcement of new rides at Universal theme parks. Let's focus on information about new rides Universal has officially announced or speculation that has become common knowledge among theme park media.
Universal Studios Hollywood Olympics Rumors 2028
All signs point to Universal Studios Hollywood gearing up for 2028. Why would 2028 be significant? Well, a sporting event will occur in Los Angeles, bringing guests to the Hollywood area. Okay, this sporting event would be the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Just as Universal Studios Japan sought to capitalize on the Olympics, Universal Destinations and Experiences strives to do the same for Universal Studios Hollywood. Common speculation leans towards Universal Studios Hollywood opening one new ride (or attraction) yearly until the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Based on the layout of Universal Studios Hollywood, the land of escalators, that will be a challenging task. However, if accomplished, this will bump Universal Studios Hollywood up from a worldwide perspective in time for the world’s sporting event.
Many changes will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood in addition to the major changes that already happened earlier this year. This resource will describe the new attractions already opened at Universal Studios Hollywood.
New Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood: Beyond 2024
Any statements about new rides at Universal Studios Hollywood beyond 2024 qualify as educated guessing. However, some logical options emerge based on Universal theme parks' current partnerships and business relationships. We should expect those to be the focus for any new rides and attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood leading up to the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Most Commonly Speculated Concepts
Most sources indicate that new rides leading up to 2028 will be based on familiar intellectual properties. The common thoughts lead to adding:
- Another Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. We have heard rumors of this for at least seven years. However, adding a Wizarding World attraction to Universal Studios Hollywood will take time. With the limited space, pieces of current attractions will need to be removed to make this potential plan happen.
- The rumored Donkey Kong coaster and maybe another Nintendo attraction. Informed speculation started about this happening before Super Nintendo World even opened at Universal Studios Florida.
- A show using the same technology as The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studio Florida. This might be the same show cloned for Universal Studios Florida or a new show with similar technology used. Based on the success of the Bourne Stuntactular at Universal Orlando Resort, this makes sense.
The Bourne Stuntacular at Universal Studios Florida
However, for those who love theme park rumors, a current attraction or two must be removed for new ones to arrive. Saying that Universal Studios Hollywood lacks space to grow would be an understatement. Before anyone gets too excited about new rides at Universal Studios Hollywood, we should remember that this will be a long process that might take away some highly enjoyed current attractions.
Still, the Universal theme parks constantly change. In most cases, the changes bring new excitement for guests. The best thing we can do is wait (and wait) for official announcements from Universal Destinations and Experiences about new rides at Universal Studios Hollywood.
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